Health and Neuroscience
Neurostimulation: Stimulate the Brain with 10 Tech Tools for Mental Health
Therapeutic tools that can stimulate the brain and the nervous system to improve mental health, enhance cognitive function, and lower chronic pain
Unraveling the Mysteries of Neurostimulation
If drugs and traditional therapies aren’t helping with your pain, neurological, or mental health conditions, hope remains. Neurostimulation is now mainstream and used by caring healthcare professionals to improve neurological and mental health conditions.
If you, your loved ones, or your friends experience depression, anxiety, PTSD, neurological disorders, or chronic pain, and medication does not work, you might talk to your healthcare professionals about the options I briefly introduce in this post. My goal is to inform and create awareness.
When the brain is stimulated physically and adequately with the utmost care by professionals, the old neural patterns might be broken, and new ones can be created to boost cognition, lower chronic pain, and enhance mental health.
For example, this 2020 systemic review published in the Neuromodulation journal analyzed 15 randomized controlled trials and concluded that “generally, neurostimulation improved pain control.”
Contrary to the beliefs of some skeptics, neurostimulation is a scientifically validated, accepted, and widely used therapeutic approach. There will always be skeptics who don’t care about your pain or health.
You are responsible for solving your health problems with a holistic approach and support from qualified healthcare professionals. I introduced the importance and principles of holistic health before.
I write this piece with passion and compassion.
I’ve been interested in brain stimulation since starting my cognitive science studies in the 1980s, especially non-invasive techniques used for mental health therapies and cognitive performance enhancement.
I’ve documented my findings from observations of neurostimulation tools and methods used by biohacking communities and healthcare professionals in clinics.
For example, in a recent story, I documented a case study of a friend who solved her clinical depression via a technology device called EMDR, producing better results than her long-term medication.
This sparked interest among some subscribers to explore these therapies. Therefore, I decided to write this article highlighting well-known and proven therapeutic tools to improve neurological and mental health and enhance cognitive performance.
Humans have utilized magnetism to treat ailments for over a thousand years. Michael Faraday popularized magnetic fields in the scientific community in the 1860s through his exploration of magnetic fields.
According to this NIH Book, there is a significant emphasis on using magnets to heal and improve brain and nervous system function.
The concept of how magnets work was later explained through the discovery of electric currents and their ability to induce the flow of electrons between specific points in devices.
Without going into technical and scientific details, I aim to simplify the concept of neurostimulation and provide awareness for you to discuss with your healthcare professional when needed.
What is neurostimulation, and how is it used?
Neurostimulation is a process and technique to stimulate the nervous system with electrical or magnetic impulses to treat mental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Depending on tools and health conditions, this process can be invasive or non-invasive. Medical professionals use neurostimulation to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, neurodegenerative disorders, seizures, chronic pain, and movement disorders affecting millions of people.
Different tools may be used, depending on the condition being treated. Qualified healthcare professionals might implant devices under the skin or scalp to alter electrical activity in neurons and neurocircuits.
Most patients tolerate neurostimulation well. However, some patients might experience side effects such as headache, dizziness, insomnia, or irritation at the implant site. Nevertheless, those side effects are usually fewer compared to drug treatments.
Neurostimulation is widely available in many countries. During my business travels, I came across clinics in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan.
Neurostimulation is usually performed after trying other options, such as medication, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy, have failed or when the patient’s condition is severe and requires more intensive treatment.
Healthcare practitioners conduct tests and assess patients' medical history thoroughly before deciding to proceed with neurostimulation.
You can learn more about brain stimulation techniques and approaches, including side effects, from this comprehensive document published by the National Instituted of Health (NIH).
The brain is a biological, chemical, and electrical organ. Stimulating the brain using safe tools is possible and can bring numerous health benefits. As the brain is a delicate and critical organ, this needs to be done by highly qualified professionals with utmost care.
Neurostimulation is a comprehensive and complex topic. Therefore, my goal is to briefly introduce the tools and create awareness so that you can discuss viable options with your qualified healthcare professionals when needed.
Here’s a summary of ten neurostimulation tools and processes highlighting the key points.
1 — Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) delivers electrical signals to targeted brain areas. Releasing neurotransmitters can enhance synaptic plasticity and improve conditions in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.
During the procedure, electrodes are implanted in the necessary regions, and a head frame is attached to the skull to maintain the proper positioning.
Operators use MRI or CT scans to identify the target region in the brain accurately. DBS is commonly used to treat movement disorders such as Parkinson’s, dystonia, and essential tremor.
Although it is considered safe and classified as a minimally invasive surgical procedure by NIH, it is typically used only as a last resort when other treatments have proven ineffective.
Only two controlled trials have been conducted for the potential FDA approval of DBS for treatment-resistant depression, but the results were negative.
Therefore this paper by Dr. Darin Dougherty proposes “future directions, including the potential use of alternate clinical trial designs, using tractography for more refined deep brain stimulation electrode targeting, and closed-loop deep brain stimulation approaches.”
2 — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the most non-intrusive techniques and has been successfully used in many countries.
EMDR is a therapy primarily used to treat traumas, post-traumatic stress disorder, and distressing emotional experiences stored in long-term memory.
Although relatively new, it has garnered significant attention in neuroscience and mental health literature for its effectiveness in treating trauma patients.
The core intervention of EMDR involves having the patient recall a traumatic event while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements or tapping on the body.
This approach can reduce the electrical activity in brain circuits and temporarily relieve the patient. By repeating this process, the patient can better process and neutralize the disturbing memories, improving outcomes.
Based on my observations, several patients with post-traumatic conditions have benefited from EMDR therapy.
This review paper in Nervous and Mental Disease informs that “EMDR may be more suitable than CBT for PTSD patients with prominent intrusion or arousal symptoms.”
3 — Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (R-TMS) is another effective and non-invasive neurostimulation. It is often used to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression by altering the activity of neurons in the brain.
While considered safe with limited side effects, it may not be suitable for everyone and is typically considered a last resort after other failed treatments.
According to reliable sources like Harvard Medical School, approximately one-third of individuals who undergo R-TMS experience complete remission, meaning their symptoms disappear entirely.
Clinical Neurophysiology published a comprehensive review paper titled “Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation” in 2020.
As I documented my perspectives in a story, I will not go into details here. Interested readers might check this article titled Judy Solved Her Clinical Depression with a Tech Device Much Better than Medication.
4 — Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a type of neurostimulation that uses electrical currents to trigger seizures. The currents can be brief or ultra-brief, depending on the patient's needs.
Patients are given general anesthesia and muscle relaxants to minimize movement during the procedure. ECT is typically used to treat mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.
It works by resetting the brain’s neural circuits and improving symptoms. While ECT is considered safe and effective, it is typically only used as a last resort after other failed treatments.
You may learn more about ECT from a paper by four medical doctors, "Electroconvulsive Therapy in Depression: Current Practice and Future Direction,” published in the Psychiatric Clinics of North America.
5— Magnetic Seizure Therapy
Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) is another neurostimulation tool using magnetic. It is similar to ECT as a function. The difference is magnetic versus electric. MST is heavily researched. I came across over ten thousand medical reports about MST on PubMed.
This systemic review paper informs that “the studies reported significant antidepressant effects, with remission rates ranging from 30% to 40%. No significant cognitive side effects related to MST were found, with a better cognitive profile when compared to ECT.”
MST is safe and effective, but like other neurostimulation therapies, it is used as a last resort when previous treatments are ineffective.
Like ECT, MST also is used for patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and clinical depression and seems to produce better results than ECT.
Based on a systemic review, so far, no study has focused on comparing MST to ECT on bipolar depression specifically.
6 — Vagus Nerve Stimulation
As I mentioned in my previous stories, the vagus nerve is a significant nerve that extends from the abdomen to the brainstem and plays a crucial role in the connection between the body and mind.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) involves electrical stimulation activating the vagus nerve, which carries messages from various organs to the brainstem.
For VNS, a pulse generator device is implanted under the skin, and wires are attached to the vagus nerve to stimulate it with electrical currents.
VNS therapy is generally considered safe with minimal side effects, though it may take several months for patients to see improvement.
This neurostimulation method has been utilized for several years to treat various mental health conditions. As the vagus nerve regulates mood and sleep, VNS is an effective method for mood and sleep disorders.
In 2005, the FDA approved VNS for treatment-resistant depression in patients with severe, recurrent depression lasting over two years.
7 — Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (T-DCS) is a type of neurostimulation that uses low-level electrical currents to stimulate specific brain regions.
The electrical current is delivered to the scalp using electrodes attached to the skin. The primary mechanism of T-DCS is that the electrical current modulates the resting potential of neurons in the targeted brain region.
T-DCS is a non-invasive therapy considered safe and well-tolerated by most patients. It can alter brain activity and relieve cognitive disorders, chronic pain, and mild depression. T-DCS is typically used as a final resort when other treatments have been ineffective.
The direction and intensity of the current can increase or decrease the excitability of the neurons, leading to changes in brain activity.
This modulation of brain activity can have therapeutic effects in various conditions, including cognitive disorders, chronic pain, and mild depression.
While treating depression, T-DCS can modulate the activity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain involved in regulating mood and emotions. By increasing the excitability of this area, T-DCS can enhance mood and alleviate symptoms of depression.
While treating chronic pain, T-DCS can modulate the activity of the somatosensory cortex, an area of the brain responsible for processing pain signals. By decreasing the excitability of this area, T-DCS can reduce pain perception.
T-DCS therapy can enhance cognitive functions such as attention, working memory, and executive function, affecting the prefrontal cortex or the parietal cortex.
8— Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a neurostimulation method that uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain in the back, legs, arms, and neck.
It transmits low-level electrical signals to specific nerve fibers in the spinal cord, disrupting the pain signals before they reach the brain. SCS therapy works by blocking pain signals before they reach the brain.
SCS can provide significant pain relief and improve the quality of life for patients who previously could not manage their pain or have not responded to other treatments, such as physical therapy, pain medication, or surgery.
The electrical impulses can stimulate the release of endorphins and can reduce pain. In addition, SCS can alter the activity of nerve cells in the spinal cord by changing how pain signals are processed.
For patients with peripheral neuropathy (a condition in which nerve damage causes chronic pain in the arms, legs, hands, and feet), SCS can relieve pain by transmitting electrical impulses to nerve fibers in the spinal cord and blocking pain signals and altering pain perception in the brain.
9 — Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation
As an electrical stimulation tool, CES uses low-level electrical currents to stimulate the brain and treat various conditions like anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The device is attached to the head like the previous tools.
CES typically involves the placement of electrodes near the temples or behind the ears, which deliver electrical impulses to the brain.
This non-invasive treatment modulates the autonomic nervous system by releasing neurotransmitters like serotonin and endorphins like dynorphins and enkephalins during stimulation. The treatment might regulate mood and pain perception.
To benefit from the treatment, the practitioners ensure the device works properly, monitor side effects, and customize the appropriate frequency and intensity of stimulation.
CES is safe, but some people have side effects, such as headaches and skin irritation at the electrode placement site.
10 — Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
As a therapeutic technique, TENS uses low-voltage electrical currents to relieve pain and discomfort in various body parts. The approach uses a portable device with electrodes on the skin near the source of pain.
The device delivers adjustable electrical impulses to relieve pain. It is commonly used between 20 and 60-minute sessions, repeated as needed based on pain severity.
The TENS device sends electrical impulses through the skin to stimulate the nerve fibers. These impulses can interfere with pain signals traveling to the brain, reducing pain sensation.
TENS is a non-invasive for managing pain and discomfort. It can alter how pain signals are processed in the body and may activate the release of natural painkillers.
The everyday use cases are to relieve back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and muscle pain. TENS therapy might treat conditions such as neuralgia, sciatica, and osteoarthritis. It is also used to manage labor and delivery pain and treat headaches, menstrual cramps, and chronic inflammatory pain.
There are three mechanisms of TENS therapy. Firstly, TENS may activate the release of endorphins, interacting with the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce pain sensation.
Secondly, TENS might alter how pain signals are processed in the spinal cord and brain, reducing pain perception.
Thirdly, TENS may also improve blood circulation, accelerating the healing process and lowering chronic inflammation.
Conclusions and Takeaways
Advancements in technology have transformed thoughts and principles into tools for medical professionals to treat neurological and mental disorders. These technological advancements have enabled the development of neurostimulation for therapeutic purposes.
While some of these treatments may still be invasive and pose risks, most might be performed with minimal impact and side effects with support from qualified healthcare professionals, as documented in the medical literature.
These devices can potentially benefit patients with neuropsychiatric disorders and are worth considering, mainly if medication, treatment methods, or traditional therapies do not work.
It’s essential to have open and honest discussions with healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals cannot read your mind, and they are swamped dealing with other patients.
Therefore, you need to explain your situation with specific details and examples without catastrophizing. For example, a psychiatrist can assess your situation and consider appropriate therapies. These treatments can also improve cognitive performance.
Some neurostimulation devices are available for personal use. However, the availability and legality of personal use of these devices might vary depending on the country. I will cover them in another article.
In the meantime, if you consider such devices, please consult your qualified healthcare professional before using any self-use neurostimulation devices to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your needs and health conditions.
Furthermore, you must use these devices according to the manufacturer’s instructions and follow relevant regulations or guidelines to maintain safety and effectiveness.
In conclusion, neurological and mental health disorders can negatively impact the quality of life and even shorten lifespan. Taking personal responsibility for resolving these issues and seeking professional help can make a significant difference.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
If you enjoyed this story, you might check this article introducing practical ways to promote neural plasticity, modulation, integration, coordination, and regulation to lower the risks of neurological disorders.
I also wrote about valuable brain stimulation apps and programs that might interest you if you are into neurostimulation.
These tools, if used correctly, might stimulate your brain and provide better mental flexibility and cognitive reserves.
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